Endoscopic Module with Rolling Joints for Multi-Angle Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional open abdominal surgery results in large incisions, significant bleeding, and prolonged recovery times, while single port laparoscopic surgery aims to minimize these issues but lacks a reliable method for securing a clear view within the human body during operations.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic surgical instrument featuring a modular design with multiple joints, including rolling joints with engaging teeth, allowing for three or more degrees of freedom and enabling the endoscopic module to capture surgical instrument operations at various angles, thereby providing a clear view through a minimal incision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If single port laparoscopic surgery is used to minimize incisions, then patient recovery time is reduced and scarring is minimized, but it becomes difficult to secure a clear view for the surgical target
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscopic module incorporates multiple joints (first joint for left-right rotation, second joint for up-down tilting) that enable dynamic positioning of the camera. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the endoscope to capture clear images of the surgical target despite the constraints of single-port insertion, resolving the contradiction between minimal incision and clear viewing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds rotational and tilting dimensions to the endoscopic module, transforming it from a fixed linear insertion to a multi-dimensional positioning system. The first joint provides rotation around the longitudinal axis, while the second joint provides tilting motion, creating a multi-dimensional adjustment capability that enables clear viewing angles through minimal incisions.
2Reliability
If multiple joints are added to the endoscopic module to enable clear viewing, then imaging capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscopic module is segmented into distinct functional components: the camera unit, the first joint for rotation, and the second joint for tilting. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing the complex imaging capability to be achieved through modular design. This segmentation manages device complexity by organizing multiple joints into discrete, manageable units with dedicated purposes.
3Force
If wires are used to connect members coupled by joints, then drive force transmission is achieved, but wire management becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wire mounting portions as intermediary structures that facilitate wire connection between the drive portion and the joints. These mounting portions provide organized attachment points for wires, simplifying wire management and reducing the complexity of force transmission pathways while maintaining effective drive force delivery to the multiple joints.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The modular design with amplified drive forces and adjustable angles allows for precise and clear imaging during surgery, reducing recovery time and scarring, and enhancing the surgical precision by enabling operations through a minimal incision.
Implementation Method 1
Wires connecting respective members coupled by the plurality of joints may be configured to amplify drive forces of a drive portion applied to the plurality of joints
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of joints may comprise rolling joints at which teeth of gears engage and rotate with each other
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic surgical instrument may include: two surgical instrument modules, each of which is provided with a surgical instrument portion; and/or an endoscopic module configured to form a triangular shape with the two surgical instrument modules and configured to capture operations of the surgical instrument modules at different angles using a plurality of joints. Wires connecting respective members coupled by the plurality of joints may be configured to amplify drive forces of a drive portion applied to the plurality of joints. The plurality of joints may include rolling joints at which teeth of gears engage and rotate with each other. The plurality of joints may provide three or more degrees of freedom to the endoscopic module.